NEW WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY LEGISLATION TAKES EFFECT
NEWS RELEASE by SafeWork SA
Monday, 31 December 2012
New workplace safety legislation takes effect in South Australia tomorrow, 1 January 2013, bringing our state in line with most of Australia as we move toward nationally consistent laws to protect worker health and safety.
The Work Health and Safety Act 2012 replaces the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act 1986.
“The new laws are consistent with the old, familiar laws but provide a new approach that clarifies everyone’s roles in workplace safety – from the employers, to the health and safety representatives, to the employee,” said Robin Scott, A/Executive Director of SafeWork SA.
“South Australia already has a strong safety record. In 2012 we were the only state to meet the national target for reducing work-related injuries.
“The new laws will help to further reduce workplace injury and will create avenues for solving safety issues, while ensuring that the same high standards of workplace safety will apply in all states and territories.”
The WHS Act will also reduce red tape for businesses that operate across state borders and provide interstate workers with the same protections and safety standards while also recognizing their licensing and training nationally.
The legislation is a significant step toward nationally harmonised work health and safety laws that will provide the same standards of workplace safety in all states and territories.
Victoria and Western Australia remain the only states that have not yet introduced the harmonised laws.
Any significantly new requirements in the new laws will have transitional periods to provide businesses and workers with time to comply.
Information on the Work Health and Safety Act is available at www.safework.sa.gov.au
For media inquiries, contact
swsamedia@sa.gov.au, (08) 8204 9430 or 0401 122 329
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
All sounds good, with HSE there can be a lot of confusion, so making things clear sounds like a good step forward.